October, as I'm sure you know, is breast cancer awareness month. If I'm honest, I have mixed feelings about all the pink. Of course. (OF COURSE) I want researchers to find new ways to treat breast cancers and other cancers. All those pink ribbons, however, seem to downplay the harsh reality of dealing with breast cancer. Even though there are lots of pink ribbons, most folks don't know basic facts about breast cancer. Like 30% of women--even if their breast cancer was diagnosed early---will end up with metastatic breast cancer, which has no cure. Or that men also get breast cancer.

All the pink and the forced feel good messages made me roll my eyes. It felt like "slacktivism" to me. Then two things happened. . . .

On June 27, I was served a gluten-containing meal at the Mounted Cat at the Burlington, Vermont Hilton. I contacted Hilton on June 30; however, they never responded to my complaints. Today I'm sharing my letter, so others don't get sick at this restaurant. . . .